New legislation may bring digital billboards to the office buildings of Downtown Baltimore.
The proposal, led by City Councilman Eric Costello and Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, would create a new area that allows digital signage, to be called the “North Harbor District,” or “NoHa.”
The legislation would bring advertisements and digital art to the area stretching from Camden Yards to President Street, and would allow property owners to collect revenue from the billboards.
Downtown Partnership hopes to ensure that the billboards will benefit the Baltimore community.
According to their website, the organization will require participating media companies to “live up to a far higher standard of community benefits and responsiveness than any other signs in the City.”
As one of the requirements, 15-20% of all LED time must be designated for civic promotion and local art.
The bill will go before the Planning Commission today, with Costello and Shelonda Stokes, president of Downtown Partnership, expected to testify. If approved, the legislation will go before the City Council on Oct. 18.
